Review Text

"Titch was little" (and wide-eyed and knobby-kneed, beanpole neck, oversized yellow head, pyramid body), the essence of defenselessness next to his strutting sister and brother - "Mary was a bit bigger," "Pete was a lot bigger." Sorrow is a tricycle trying to keep up with bikes or a wooden whistle drowned out by a drum and a trumpet; "Pete had a kite that flew high above the trees. Mary had a kite that flew high above the houses. And Titch had a pinwheel that he held in his hand." Pat Hutchins is a woman of few but choice words: "Pete had a big saw. Mary had a big hammer. And Titch held the nails." "Pete had a big spade. Mary had a fat flowerpot. But Titch had the tiny seed. And Titch's seed grew and grew and grew." Satisfaction without ceremony, perfectly paced and articulately pictured, forthcoming as always. (Kirkus Reviews)show more